Professor J. Ramkumar, Dean of Infrastructure and Planning

Prof. Ramkumar is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Design. He currently also holds the esteemed SC Agarwal Chair at IIT Kanpur.

He received his MTech and PhD from IIT Madras in 1999 and 2003 respectively. He joined IIT Kanpur as a faculty in 2003. His academic journey was enriched by postdoctoral research at Osaka University, Fraunhofer Institute, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and as a visiting faculty at Tokyo Institute of Technology. His novel work has been recognized with several notable fellowships such as the Monbusho Japanese Fellowship, Boycast Fellowship, and NUS Fellowship. Since joining IIT Kanpur in 2003, he has made indelible contributions to his research field.

His research covers Micro/Nano Manufacturing, product/process development, Tribology, composites, Manufacturing Process modeling, and Medical Device Development. A career highlight is his role in the CubeSat project, advancing a self-sufficient Space Program. His work in Laser Additive Manufacturing facilitates rapid prototyping of engine components with a smaller footprint, and his research on microwave shielding metamaterials enhances camouflaging technologies for India's defense in collaboration with DRDO. Prof. Ramkumar champions hands-on learning, establishing four laboratories at IIT Kanpur focused on machining, manufacturing, and innovation. During the COVID-19 pandemic, his innovations, including SWASA masks, Shudh UV Sonicator, Sanjeevani Oxygen Concentrator, and PPE kits, gained national recognition. His entrepreneurial spirit has led to the success of over ten start-ups, contributing to economic growth and job creation. He currently translates MedTech laboratory findings into scalable innovations while fostering collaboration with researchers and medical professionals. His expertise has enabled strong industrial and academic partnerships with GE, GM, IOCL, DRDO, BHEL, GAIL, ISRO, KARAM, KGMU, GSVMM, IITs, NITs and institutes of National Importance.

In addition to his research, Prof. Ramkumar has demonstrated exemplary leadership as UPSC Committee Chair, Vice-Chair for GATE, and a board member for IITs, NITs, and CFTIs, appointed as a Subject Matter Expert by the President of India. He successfully transformed traditional administrative processes into automated systems at IIT Kanpur during his roles as Chair for Senate Post Graduate Committee (SPGC), Security Advisory and Executive Committee (SAEC), and Associate Dean of Student Activities. His unwavering commitment to machining and product development inspires future scholars. He aims at translational research via hands-on-learning, he leads this ideology by developing MOOCs, speaking at conferences, workshops, and seminars while maintaining a strong research potential.

Prof. Ramkumar's illustrious career is marked by numerous awards, including Fellowships from the Indian National Academy of Engineering and the Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers, as well as the Late GK Dubey Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award, Eminent Engineer Award, and Bharat Vikas Award, among others. His contributions continue to shape the future of machining, product development, and education, leaving a profound impact on the scientific and academic communities.

For more information please visit: https://home.iitk.ac.in/~jrkumar/about.html.

Dean of Infrastructure and Planning (DOIP)
Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur
Kanpur-208 016
Phone: +91-512-2596159, 6160
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